This medieval hilltop village was abandoned at the end of the 19th century, after existing for more than 500 years.

The ruins of an abbey believed to have been founded by Charlemagne in the 9th century.

A lavish 16th-century mansion filled with spectacular staircases, fantastic frescoes, and gorgeous gardens.

This seaside Italian village doesn't just look Escher-esque, it actually inspired the mind-bending artist.

Nestled in the hills of Tuscany are gorgeous, multicolored hot springs.

The city of Palestrina was built around this magnificent terraced sanctuary dedicated to the pagan goddess Fortuna.

This breathtaking monastery was established by Saint Benedict himself 1,500 years ago.

Every inch of this chapel is covered in craftsmanship from across the world.

A collection of grotesques lines the walls of this Italian villa.

The abandoned ruins of a failed resort hide on this verdant, picture-perfect island.

Built to repay the sins of the father, this church is home to one of the most valuable works of Western art.

Behind medieval walls in a corner of bustling Palermo is a breathtaking former mosque once inhabited by a wolf-taming hermit.

The top of society once luxuriated in this world-class hotel, which continues to impress, even in ruin.

Water and windows define this defensive Italian well.

Geometry and mystery come together in an epic show of octagonal masonry.

These gutted monastery ruins still stand proudly in the middle of the Italian countryside.

These delicate sand pyramids look like naturally occurring gothic spires.

A formerly opulent Italian village is now a crumbling ghost town that no one really knows what to do with.

This mosaic-lined medieval church was built by the world's first admiral and still holds mass in ancient Greek.

A domed disco abandoned since the '70s now attracts artists and explorers under its unique roof.

Southern Italy's spinning top village.

People have been living in the cave houses on this Italian hillside since the Neolithic era.

"Stairs of the Turks", a chalky white cliff eroded conveniently into stairs, allowing for easy pillaging.

An underground paleo-Christian burial site composed of the remains of several cemeteries and Basilicas.